Kristen Wiig
Born 1973 · Age 52
American actress, comedian, screenwriter, and producer; Groundlings alum; SNL cast member (2005–2012); co-writer/star of Bridesmaids; prominent film and voice actor; producer and TV lead in Palm Royale.
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in Canandaigua, New York
Kristen Carroll Wiig was born in Canandaigua, New York to Jon Arne Joseph Wiig and Laurie Day (Johnston).
Family moved to Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Wiig moved with her family to Lancaster at age three.
Parents divorced
Her parents divorced when she was nine; she lived with her mother and older brother Erik.
Returned to Rochester, New York
At 13 Wiig and her family moved back to Rochester; she later attended Allendale Columbia School for grades 9–10.
Community college & outdoor-living program
After leaving college she attended community college and took a three-month outdoor-living program; she had not yet pursued performing.
Hired by plastic surgery clinic (didn't start)
Was hired to draw postsurgery bodies but, after a conversation with a psychic, decided to pursue acting and move to Los Angeles the next day.
Attended Roanoke College (briefly)
Wiig attended Roanoke College for a short period before returning to Rochester (Roanoke College listed as alma mater in some bios).
Graduated Brighton High School (approx.)
Wiig graduated from Brighton High School in Rochester (approximate year based on birth year).
Attended University of Arizona (Art major)
Wiig enrolled at the University of Arizona majoring in art; an acting class there led her to pursue performance.
Moved to Los Angeles to pursue acting
Wiig relocated to Los Angeles and supported herself with odd jobs while pursuing performance and improv.
Worked odd jobs in LA (Anthropologie, catering, etc.)
Supported herself folding clothes at Anthropologie, selling peaches, catering, babysitting, floral work and selling hot dogs while getting into improv.
Joined improv groups (Empty Stage, The Groundlings)
Began performing with Empty Stage Comedy Theatre and became a member of The Groundlings improv troupe—critical to her comedic development.
Cast in Spike TV's The Joe Schmo Show (Dr. Pat)
Appeared as 'Dr. Pat' on The Joe Schmo Show (a reality spoof) in a recurring role.
Auditioned for Mad TV / submitted SNL tape
While at The Groundlings her manager encouraged submission of an SNL audition tape (she also auditioned for Mad TV). She included her Target Lady character on the tape.
Married Hayes Hargrove
Wiig married actor Hayes Hargrove (marriage later ended in divorce in 2009).
Survived SNL budget cuts
Early in her SNL tenure Wiig survived cast/budget cuts and solidified her place on the show.
Saturday Night Live debut
Debuted on SNL in season 31 on November 12, 2005; her characters (Target Lady, Gilly, etc.) became fan favorites.
Became full SNL repertory cast member
Survived an SNL budget cut and was promoted to full cast at the start of season 32 (2006).
Film debut: Unaccompanied Minors (released)
Made her film debut in the Christmas comedy Unaccompanied Minors (2006).
Supporting role in Knocked Up
Appeared as a passive-aggressive assistant in Judd Apatow's Knocked Up (2007).
Multiple supporting film roles (2008)
Had roles in Semi-Pro (cameo), Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Ghost Town and Walk Hard around 2008, increasing film profile.
Named one of Entertainment Weekly's 25 Funniest Women in Hollywood
Entertainment Weekly listed Wiig among the 25 Funniest Women in Hollywood (April 2009).
Featured in Adventureland, Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs, Whip It, Extract
Four 2009 film credits including voice role in Ice Age 3 and supporting roles in Adventureland, Whip It, and Extract.
Primetime Emmy nominations begin (SNL supporting actress)
Started receiving Primetime Emmy nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series (2009–2012 total four nominations).
Headlined 'SNL Presents: A Very Gilly Christmas'
Starred in the 2009 SNL holiday special centered on her 'Gilly' character.
Voice roles in Despicable Me and How to Train Your Dragon
Voiced characters in two major animated films that launched lucrative franchises (Despicable Me, How to Train Your Dragon).
Bridesmaids award nominations (Golden Globe & Academy Award)
Wiig was nominated for Golden Globe Best Actress – Comedy/Musical and, with Mumolo, nominated for Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay.
Named one of PETA's Sexiest Vegetarian Celebrities
PETA included Kristen Wiig in its Sexiest Vegetarian Celebrities list in 2011.
Relationship with Fabrizio Moretti
Dated The Strokes drummer Fabrizio Moretti from 2011 to 2013 (personal life influence).
Bridesmaids box office (North America)
Bridesmaids made approximately US$167 million in North America.
Released Bridesmaids (co-writer and star)
Bridesmaids (co-written with Annie Mumolo) released by Universal to critical and commercial success.
Bridesmaids cultural & industry impact
Bridesmaids widely credited with helping expand leading roles for women in mainstream comedy and boosting Wiig's career to leading-lady status.
Named to Time's 100 Most Influential People (2012)
Time named Kristen Wiig one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2012.
Final SNL performance as cast member
Her last episode as an SNL cast member aired May 19, 2012 (season 37, ep 22) with a large on-air farewell.
Starred in The Secret Life of Walter Mitty and Anchorman 2
Appeared opposite Ben Stiller in Walter Mitty and reunited with Will Ferrell/Steve Carell in Anchorman 2.
Returned to host SNL (May 11, 2013)
Hosted Saturday Night Live on May 11, 2013 (returning as host after leaving the cast in 2012).
Despicable Me 2 release (voice)
Reprised her voice role for Despicable Me 2 (released June 5, 2013).
Starred in The Skeleton Twins and How to Train Your Dragon 2
Had leading role in indie dramedy The Skeleton Twins and reprised Ruffnut in How to Train Your Dragon 2.
The Spoils of Babylon – Emmy nom for Lead Actress (miniseries)
Nominated for Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or Movie for The Spoils of Babylon (2014).
Voice role: Lola Bunny on The Looney Tunes Show (2011–2014 overall)
Voiced Lola Bunny in The Looney Tunes Show across 2011–2014 (25 episodes).
Key films released: Welcome to Me, The Diary of a Teenage Girl, The Martian, Nasty Baby
A prolific year including a major studio hit The Martian and well-received indie films.
Major studio success: The Martian (2015)
Appeared as NASA's director of media relations (Annie Montrose) in Ridley Scott's The Martian, a major box-office success.
Danced with Sia at the Grammy Awards
Performed alongside Sia and Maddie Ziegler during Sia's 'Chandelier' performance at the 2015 Grammys.
Zoolander 2 and Sausage Party roles
Appeared in Zoolander 2 (critical/commercial flop) and voiced a role in the R-rated animated comedy Sausage Party.
Starred in Ghostbusters (2016)
Played Dr. Erin Gilbert in the all-female Ghostbusters reboot; budget >$140M and worldwide gross ~US$229M.
Portrayed villainous roles & expanded into R-rated animation
Took on darker/villainous parts (e.g., Zoolander 2 villain, Cheetah later) and voiced characters in R-rated animated Sausage Party (2016).
Despicable Me 3 & Downsizing (reunited with Matt Damon)
Voiced again in Despicable Me 3 and appeared in Downsizing.
Purchased Case Study House No. 10
Purchased the historic Case Study House No.10 in Los Angeles (owned until sale in 2022).
Announced to star & executive produce Apple comedy with Reese Witherspoon
Was slated to star in and executive-produce an Apple comedy series alongside Reese Witherspoon; later withdrew due to scheduling.
Engaged to Avi Rothman
After dating for three years Wiig became engaged to actor Avi Rothman (People reported engagement Aug 16, 2019).
Played Barbara Ann Minerva / Cheetah in Wonder Woman 1984
Portrayed the villain Cheetah in the DC blockbuster Wonder Woman 1984 (2020).
Became a parent to twins via surrogacy
In January 2020 Wiig and Avi Rothman became parents to twins (a son and daughter) via surrogacy.
Confirmed marriage to Avi Rothman
In February 2021 Wiig confirmed that she and Avi Rothman had married.
Songwriting and soundtrack contributions for Barb & Star
Co-wrote songs and contributed to the Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar original motion picture soundtrack (2021).
Co-wrote and co-starred in Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar
Co-wrote with Annie Mumolo and co-starred in the 2021 comedy, also contributing songs to the soundtrack.
Executive producer credit: Big Gold Brick
Listed as an executive producer on the 2022 film Big Gold Brick.
Sold Case Study House No.10 to Lily Collins
Sold the historic Case Study House No.10 to actress Lily Collins; reported sale price US$3.9 million.
Produced and starred in Palm Royale (lead role)
Produced and had the main role (Maxine Dellacorte-Simmons) in the TV series Palm Royale (2024).
Primetime Emmy nomination for Palm Royale (Lead Actress)
Nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for Palm Royale (2024).
Named to Time's 100 Most Influential People (again)
Time named Kristen Wiig one of the 100 most influential people in the world for a second time in 2025.
Key Achievement Ages
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